News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

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Friday, October 30, 2015

Golden Fleece for the Princess of Asturias

Earlier today, the Spanish Cabinet approved two royal decrees by King Felipe VI granting the order of the Golden Fleece to Infanta Leonor, the Princess of Asturias, and her official standard.

The two decrees will be made official following the publication tomorrow in the Boletin Ofcial del Estado (Offical Bulletin of State). The Princess of Asturias will celebrate her tenth birthday tomorrow.

The Princess of Asturias is the heiress to the Spanish throne. She has a younger sister, Infanta Sofia. The Order is Spain's highest honor, and the presentation to the Princess is a natural step in her position as heir.

The Order of the Golden Fleece, an order of chivalry, was founded in 1430 in Bruges, by Duke Philip II of Burgundy, when he married Infanta Isabel of Portugal.

Today, there are two branches -- Spain and Austria -- of the order, and the current heads are King of Spain and Archduke Karl of Austria.

It will be a private birthday celebration for the Princess of Asturias.

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

BOOK OF THE DAY

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Royal Musings - Royal Book News Facebook group

Do you like discussing the royals or new ... or old books? Have a question you want answered? The Royal Musings - Royal Book News Facebook page is back again. It is a closed group so you will need to apply. No gossip allowed ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/321823117954486/

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All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without the prior approval of Marlene A. Koenig. You can, however, provide a link to the blog or to a post on the blog. Please credit Marlene A Koenig and Royal Musings. Thanks

Sources

The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.